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American Storms Back to Overtake Eastern Michigan, 67-60
AU erases double-digit deficit to claim first game of AU Tip-Off Classic

December 7, 2002

Chanel Hunt had her third double-double of the season against Eastern Michigan.

Gameday Central
Eastern Michigan	60
American	65
Box Score
Points: Hunt (AU) 19; Wiseman (EMU) 20 Rebounds: Hunt (AU) 14; Coleman (EMU) 10, Wiseman (EMU) 10 Assists: Rhymer (AU) 5; Crandall (EMU) 2, Coleman (EMU) 2, Houston (EMU) 2.

WASHINGTON — In the first game of the AU Tip-Off Classic, American University's women's basketball team (5-2) used a ferocious comeback to top Eastern Michigan (1-4), 67-60. Katryn Costenbader and Chanel Hunt each had 19 points while Hunt also grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

Eastern Michigan held AU scoreless over the first 8:00 of the game while scoring 10 points of its own to open a double-digit lead. A Costenbader three-pointer ended the drought and put the Eagles on the board. Two Alicia Zorzetto free throws and a turnaround jumper by Hunt brought American to 12-7 with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half.

EMU responded with a 7-2 run to return the lead to eight. Costenbader hit back-to-back jumpers to bring the score to 17-13 with just over six minutes to play. After Eastern Michigan stretched the lead to 28-19, a Chanel Spriggs steal and lay-up brought American within seven with just under two minutes to play. A Katie Walsh free throw cut the deficit to 28-22 at the half.

Ryan Coleman hit a shot early in the half and then Abby Wiseman converted a traditional three-point play as the EMU lead swelled back to 11. Dru Bishop scored on a lay-up before Hunt made a jumper to stop the Eastern Michigan run.

A Costenbader three and two free throws by Spriggs cut the EMU lead to six. Hunt converted a three-point play after scoring off an offensive rebound as AU trimmed the lead to three with just over 15 minutes to play.

American forced a shot clock violation on Eastern Michigan and Hunt made a nice move in the lane for a lay-up to bring the score to 37-36. Hunt then hit a jumper from the foul line for her seventh straight point as AU claimed its first lead of the game.

EMU tied the game at 38 before an intentional foul called on American led to five straight Eastern Michigan points. Costenbader answered with her third three-pointer of the game to bring AU within two, but EMU responded with a 10-0 run.

Another lay-up by Hunt and a long three by Maria Werries cut the margin to five with under six minutes to play. Coleman made a jumper with the shot clock winding down to return the lead to seven, but a Spriggs steal and jumper kept the deficit at five.

After an EMU turnover, Spriggs found Werries for a fast break lay-up and Amercian was within two with under two minutes to play. Fighting for an offensive rebound, Spriggs was fouled, but only made one-of-two from the line. However, she stole the ball back and was fouled again. This time, she sank both foul shots to give American a 60-59 lead.

EMU was called for travelling its next trip down the court. Hunt was fouled bringing the ball up and she drained both shots to give AU a three-point lead. Hunt was called for her fifth foul as Eastern Michigan pushed the ball up the court with under 30 seconds to play. Erika Ford was only able to make one-of-two from the line and EMU fouled Werries. After making one of her two shots, Werries then stole the inbounds pass and made both foul shots to ice the victory.

AU shot 54.2 percent in the second half to spark the comeback. AU also shot 50 percent from behind the three-point arc in the second stanza.

American returns to action in the final game of the AU Tip-Off Classic on Monday at 5 p.m. against Maryland-Eastern Shore.